SOAP fans have been keen to see Andy Sugden return to the Dales, seven years following his explosive exit.

And while he may not reprise his role any time soon, former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher will return to our screens in another project.

Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter

1

Kelvin Fletcher portrayed Andy Sugden for two decades

Who is Kelvin Fletcher?

Born on January 17, 1984, Kelvin Fletcher is an actor, model and presenter best known for playing Andy Sugden on ITV’s Emmerdale for two decades.

Kelvin began his acting career in 1994, with the main role of Darren in the CITV children’s drama, Three Seven Eleven.

This led him to bag several other roles on the small screen and, while many TV fans know him for his role in the Yorkshire-based program, Kelvin first encountered life in soap land in 1996, with a small role in Coronation Street.

When he first appeared in Emmerdale, Kelvin was only scheduled to be part of the show for three episodes, but was soon offered a longer contract and went on to become one of the most popular characters on the show.

He also won the best actor and best dramatic performance gongs at the British Soap Awards.

Alongside acting, Kelvin is a motor racing driver and has competed in the British GT Championships.

Why did Kelvin Fletcher leave Emmerdale?

Kelvin first joined Emmerdale in 1996 – at the tender age of six-years-old.

He played the part of Andy Sugden for 20 years, before quitting the role in 2016 for good.

During an appearance on This Morning, the actor opened up about his decision to leave the ITV soap.

Speaking to host Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, he explained: “Twenty years is a long time. It’s been an incredible twenty years.

“I am so grateful to Emmerdale. Throughout that period I have always had a real sense of fulfilment and purpose.”

He added: “What started out as a hobby at six years old – I was then able to do something like that every day on a professional platform on one of the country’s greatest shows. I have been extremely lucky.

“Looking back over 20 years it has been a rollercoaster and for me it’s given me passion to leave and continue.”

In recent months, Kelvin has made it clear he could consider a comeback to the eponymous village, sending soap fans into a frenzy.

However, after leaving show-business in the midst of the Covid pandemic, and despite making plans to travel to the other side of the Atlantic for his acting career with his wife, Kelvin opted for a rural life in the Peak District.

Kelvin and Liz Fletcher are in charge of their own farm with 100 sheep, 30 pigs, 10 horses, six chickens, a cat and a dog – as well as four children under the age of seven.

But Kelvin has finally managed to find his way back into the spotlight and, after pretending to tend to a farm in Emmerdale, viewers will see him take real action for his own estate.

The happy and busy family will appear in ITV’s new documentary series, Fletcher’s Family Farm, scheduled to air on Sunday, October 15, 2023.

How will his return to our screens play out for soap fans?

What is his net worth?

According to CelebrityNetWorth, Kelvin’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million (roughly £3.6 million).

He made his money through his acting career on the TV series Emmerdale, which he appeared in more than 1,100 episodes of the show.

In recent years, his acting career has taken a backseat while he tops up his bank account by professionally pursuing a career in racing.

Did Kelvin Fletcher win Strictly Come Dancing?

Kelvin stormed to victory on Strictly Come Dancing after initially not being part of the show.

On September 8, 2019 it was revealed that Kelvin would be replacing injured Jamie Laing on Strictly.

He was partnered up with Oti Mabuse, who was originally paired with Jamie and the couple danced their way into the hearts and minds of fans across the country.

Speaking about signing up to the show, Kelvin said: “I can’t believe it, it’s a dream come true. Those who know me, after a few beers, I love music and I love to dance, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be any good!”

He was certainly more than just good, as the 36-year-old made his way to into the final three and dropped just two points on the leaderboard in the final after performing three dances, one of which was the Samba which he performed excellently in week one.

Kelvin and Oti embraced one another and could not hold back the tears after becoming the seventeenth couple to win Strictly Come Dancing.

They defeated finalists CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual and EastEnders actor Emma Barton to win the show.

Is Kelvin Fletcher married and does he have kids?

Kelvin married his long-time love Liz Marsland in a lavish £55,ooo ceremony on November 28, 2015.

They welcomed their daughter Marnie the following year.

In August 2018, the couple announced that they were expecting their second child, a son who was born four months later in December.

The pair shared the news on BBC Breakfast that they are expecting twins by saying: “We don’t do things by halves.”

They most recently welcomed twin boys, Maximus Crowther and Mateusz Kelvin, in May, 2022.